C Leon Draisaitl (2014, 3rd, EDM) II
- Thread starter S E P H
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Living in kelowna and watching him live, i just dont see the hype. Big kid with a decent shot but the main thing i see him missing, and by missing i mean completely vacant of it, is intensity.
Giggli G
Registered User
- Sep 8, 2006
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Sounds like big man syndrome. He's a very intense person, that's for sure. Big players often look like they aren't doing much, but really they are.
Aceboogie
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- Aug 25, 2012
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When your big and smart you can cover more ice and be in the right spot ahead of the play. Other players have to hustle to catch up
Bryanbryoil
Pray For Ukraine
- Sep 13, 2004
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Personally I think that he is a bit bored with the league. Hopefully that changes in the WHL finals or the Memorial Cup if he gets there. I question 2 things about him this season, #1 conditioning due to Eakins running patty cakes practices instead of actual hockey practices. #2 he is too stationary for my liking at times. That does not work in the NHL and he has really fallen into that bad habit since being sent down to Kelowna. He's actually more intense than I expected when we drafted him but I do think that he's kind of bored with the league. He really should've been in the AHL this season IMO, too bad that the rules wouldn't have allowed it.
I agree about his conditioning. The kid was touted as being a workout freak and a big kid, but IMO he has a long way to go to get his conditioning up to NHL standards.
He looks gassed a lot of the time out there, and that's when we really see him lumbering. However, a big part of that is that he takes really long shifts. I think he can be more explosive if he works on his leg strength and cardio, and also learns to take shorter shifts.
The guy has the upper body size and strength of a 25 year old NHLer, but his leg strength isn't there (even looking at him, he is top heavy out there, visually).
Evolu7ion
#firelindenning
Yeah that's what I've notice as well the few times I've seen him play live. Really needs to hit the gym with a professional trainer to gain some lower body strength and mass if he wants to excel at the NHL level.
Skinnyjimmy08
WorldTraveler
- Mar 30, 2012
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Just needs to keep working on his skating. Its always been his issue. A year or 2 in the AHL will hopefully get that going
Classicnamesup
MVP Backhand Slapper
Del Preston
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- Mar 8, 2013
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Hard to say there has been a more impactful player in the WHL, out in all situations and dominating on offense. Plus all those shorties don't hurt, cannot wait for the mem cup.
Really wish We could get an official ice time from the CHL for games but man did he play a ton.
MVP
Definitely the Kopitar of the CHL - takes all important faceoffs, shutdown opponents, scores (2 shorthanded goals in the last 2 games, 4 total), plays PK. Basically when he is on the ice at even strength the ice tilts and there's his sweet, sweet passes.
Draisaitl's skating is WORSE than Strome's but his hockey sense is twice of Strome's.
Definitely the Kopitar of the CHL - takes all important faceoffs, shutdown opponents, scores (2 shorthanded goals in the last 2 games, 4 total), plays PK. Basically when he is on the ice at even strength the ice tilts and there's his sweet, sweet passes.
Draisaitl's skating is WORSE than Strome's but his hockey sense is twice of Strome's.
Its crazy to think that the Oilers are going to have one of the deepest center groups in the NHL.
Drai is a beast, even shorthanded.
Drai is a beast, even shorthanded.
There was a Nylander v Draisatl thread a couple weeks ago or so and one person called his performance in the dub 'pedestrian' and that seemed to be agreeable to a large part of the thread. He was dominating then and he's been dominant up until now.
I think the MVP ties what has been a fantastic season for the young man up nicely. He looks deceptively slow out there due to his size, kind of reminds me of Dustin Penner is his best years. I mean hopefully better then Penner but people were on his case even when he was producing at a high level just because it looked like he was doggin it. I think big skilled fellas will catch **** for that until the end of time, doesn't mean they are t super effective hockey players though.
I think the MVP ties what has been a fantastic season for the young man up nicely. He looks deceptively slow out there due to his size, kind of reminds me of Dustin Penner is his best years. I mean hopefully better then Penner but people were on his case even when he was producing at a high level just because it looked like he was doggin it. I think big skilled fellas will catch **** for that until the end of time, doesn't mean they are t super effective hockey players though.
I donno about that. Strome and Draisaitl look equally awkward out there at times, but Draisaitl's top speed seems better.
Aceboogie
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His situation is sort of like Jordan Staal however Staal was only a ppg player in juniors
LD could be that shutdown 3c, but still be capable of 65-70 points while facing toughest comp and alot of Dzone play. Oilers could run a really good 3rd line capable of points and 3 zone play with LD and Lander as the base
Or could be a top line winger and similar to Hossa (has striaght ahead speed, needs agility). But has similar puck protection and 2 way play
LD could be that shutdown 3c, but still be capable of 65-70 points while facing toughest comp and alot of Dzone play. Oilers could run a really good 3rd line capable of points and 3 zone play with LD and Lander as the base
Or could be a top line winger and similar to Hossa (has striaght ahead speed, needs agility). But has similar puck protection and 2 way play
He doesn't have to, he is that much better than everyone. Seen him live three times since he came back to the dub, it's just unfair how much of a ringer this guy is (and I mean that in a good way). Playing on a team like that, when you compare it to how he had to carry the whole team when he was on PA, it makes him more effective imo when he can kind of slip around unnoticed instead of carrying three guys on him all game. He can do that because of all the other guys they have to carry the load in Kelowna. You gotta think in terms of how are they deploying him on a real good team, basically an all-star team there, they are gonna deploy him in a way that gets them the wins and team success, not in the way that makes him look the best and most dominant. If you want to see him be a one-man team you gotta go back to last season when he was on the Raiders, course they were out in the first round cause he was the only guy the other team needed to defend.
R S
Registered User
- Sep 18, 2006
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I could see him being a winger to start his career but for me he's a centre long-term. His vision and ability to make plays through the middle of the ice would be stripped away if he was a winger and the way he sees the ice is his best attribute.
Draisaitl has good top end, and decent acceleration when skating (as shown by him winning the Oiler's skills competition, shorthanded play in the WHL.)
His first three steps needs work. From a standstill, he's not quick. Hard for a big man, though.
Aceboogie
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- Aug 25, 2012
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Yeah true. I hope there is some way a coach can balance him as a winger so he could roam and not just be boxed in like normal wingers are.
Its bitter sweet watching him because he looks so good, but if hes going to be a better center than winger then I know hell probaly be dealt away for D help. Its nice to have 3 stud centers, but would also be good to have a still good 3c in Lander but also really good young D
Please trade this kid to the Leafs
I have been a Rockets fan since they started in Kelowna, there has not been a kid playing for the Rockets that can control or take over a game like Leon. I keep on hearing people say how his skating is weak, next game, which will be on national TV, watch him pull away from the back check and not look like he is trying. He may not skate full out but he knows better then any player where he needs to get to and does. This kid is a stud! Leafs 1st 2015 for Leon!!
I have been a Rockets fan since they started in Kelowna, there has not been a kid playing for the Rockets that can control or take over a game like Leon. I keep on hearing people say how his skating is weak, next game, which will be on national TV, watch him pull away from the back check and not look like he is trying. He may not skate full out but he knows better then any player where he needs to get to and does. This kid is a stud! Leafs 1st 2015 for Leon!!
